Diversity and abundance of scarabaeid beetles in South India

Abstract

The diversity of scarabaeid beetles was studied in the different agreoceological regions of South India, in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu. The species distribution was assessed and 18 species of scarabaeid beetles were recorded from the diversified cropping pattern comprising of arecanut, coconut, groundnut, millets, mulberry, pepper, sugarcane, tapioca and vegetables) was explored. The leaf feeders, Melolonthid beetles (38.23%) was more abundant in the states followed by the Rutelinids (20.53%), The cropping pattern, geographical location and the soil type determined the occurrence of the different species in the states.